Source: Cick Here

• World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on the 2nd of February to raise global awareness on the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet.


• Theme of World Wetlands Day 2019 is” Wetlands and Climate Change”.

Source: Cick Here

• A strong earthquake jolted southern Mexico, rattling nerves and swaying tall buildings hundreds of miles away in the capital, but there were no reports of serious damage, injuries or deaths.


• The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the quake had a magnitude of 6.6. It was centered about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the city of Tapachula in Chiapas state and struck at a depth of 40 miles (68 kilometers).

Source: Cick Here

• The United States is expected to announce the suspension of its participation in the landmark Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia.


• Quoting sources, CNN reported that the decision comes after high-ranking officials from the US Department of State, including Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, put forth that the US would exit from the treaty if Russia failed to comply with the accord until February 2.

Source: Cick Here

• The United States said it was imposing visa restrictions on Ghana, accusing the African country of not cooperating in accepting its citizens ordered removed from the United States.


• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "has ordered consular officers in Ghana to implement visa restrictions on certain categories of visa applicants".

Source: Cick Here

• Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine said that the National Pulse Polio Immunisation Campaign will be held in Tamil Nadu on March 10.


• Nearly 72 lakh children under the age of five will be covered in Tamil Nadu. K. Kolandaswamy, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, over 40,000 booths will be set up across the State, including railway stations and bus terminals.

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• As per the 2017-18 (Final) and 2018-19 (1st Advance estimate) of Area and Production of Horticulture Crops released by The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, there has been a record production of Horticulture crops in 2017-18 reaching 311.7 Million Tonnes.


• As per 1st Advance estimate of 2018-19, the total Horticulture production is estimated to be 314.5 Million tonnes which would be 8% higher than last 5 years average.


• As per 2017-18 Final Estimate, Horticulture crops production was 3.7 per cent higher than 2016-17 and 10% higher than the past 5 years average.


• As per 2017-18 Final estimate, the production of fruits was estimated at 97.35 million tonnes whereas the production of vegetables was estimated at 187.5 million tonnes.


• In 2018-19 the onion production is likely to be 23.62 million tonnes and Potato production is estimated to be 52.58 million tonnes.


• The estimated are made with the help of information received from different States and Union Territories.

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• To mark the 50-years of formalization of diplomatic ties between India and Bhutan,a two-day international conference on 8th century Himalayan sage Guru Padmasambhava was held in New Delhi.


• This conference was organised by the Centre for Escalation of Peace (CEP) and was titled ‘Life and Legacy of Guru Padmasambhava’, was held on January 29-30.


• Scholars from both countries participated in the conference and discussed about the Guru who was born in India and moved towards Bhutan in the 8th century to spread Buddhism and Buddhist teachings all across the Himalayan region.


• Next on phase to conference, an art exhibition showcasing rare artefacts associated with Guru Padmasambhava, was also held.

Source: Cick Here

• Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Manohar Parrikar who also holds the Finance portfolio presented the annual budget of Goa for 2019-20 in the Assembly. The annual budget increase from 17,123.28 crore in 2018-19 to 19548.69 crore in 2019-20 with an increase of 14.16% over previous year.


• The Allocation for Capital Expenditure was increase by 18.29 % to Rs. 4987.45 crore in 2019-20 as compared to Rs. 4216.25 crore in 2018-19.


• In this year’s annual budget, the Total estimated expenditure on Revenue Account was Rs. 13308.26 Crore.
  
• There was a revenue surplus of Rs 455.10 Crore in this year’s budget.


• The GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) for 2019-20 is Rs. 84888 Crore as compared to Rs. 77,171 Crore for 2018-19 representing a growth of approximately 10%.


• The Goa Government has laid stress over agriculture, health, education, IT (Information Technology), infrastructure and overall sustainable economic development in the budget.

Source: Cick Here

• The Indian embassy in the US has opened a 24/7 hotline and appointed a nodal officer to assist 129 Indian students who were arrested in a "pay-and-stay" university visa scam.


• Following Indian authorities' intervention, some of the students were released. The students are accused of enrolling at a fake university to maintain their student visa status to obtain work permits.

Source: Cick Here

• Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to cancel the licence of hawkers selling or using banned plastic bags, effective from 1 February 2019.


• In March last year, the Maharashtra government issued a notification to ban the sale, use and manufacture of plastic bags. As per the rule, violators face fine ranging from ₹5,000-25,000 and may also face three-month imprisonment.

Source: Cick Here

• Finance minister Piyush Goyal presented the Interim Budget for 2019-20. Highlights on the budget 2019.
  
• The defence budget has been increased to over Rs.3 lakh crore. Additional funds for defence will be provided if needed.


• Income tax exemption limit raised up to Rs.5,00,000 annual income to get full tax rebate.


• Current Fiscal Accounts to be contained to 2.5%.


• The fiscal deficit has been brought down to 3.4% in FY19.


• Rs.60,000 crore allocated for MGNREGA under PM Gram Sadak yojana for a year.


• Rs.19,000 crore allocated for rural roads under Gram Sadak Yojana.


• PM Kisaan Samman Nidhi announced at Rs.75,000 crore.


• No tax on bank interest up to Rs.40,000.


• Government has announced that it is to allocate Rs.75,000 crore per year to support farmers’ incomes.


• It is after the impact of Rs.20,000 crore in the current fiscal year.


• The Vulnerable farmers will receive Rs.6,000 per year in three equal installments.


• The government will also allocate Rs.60,000 crore for UPA’s flagship MNREGA in 2019/20.


• The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan Yojana was announced with unorganised sector workers getting Rs 3,000 pension monthly after the age of 60.


• The gratuity payment limit has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 30 lakh.


• Finance Minister Piyush Goyal announced that GST-registered MSME units to get 2 percent interest subvention on loan of 1 crore.


• Piyush Goyal also announced that income tax returns will be processed within 24 hours and returns will be paid immediately. Also, all assessment and verification of IT returns will be done electronically, without any intervention by officials.


• The Finance Minister announced that the standard deduction was raised from Rs 40,000 per year to Rs 50,000 per year.


• The Budget 2019 states there will be no TDS on house rent up to Rs 2.4 lakh per year and no TDS on bank, post office interest up to Rs 40,000, up from Rs 10,000.


• The Finance Minister said that direct tax collections have been increased from Rs 6.38 lakh crore in 2013-14 to almost Rs 12 lakh crore. The tax base is up from Rs 3.79 crore to 6.85 crore.

Source: Cick Here

• The Reserve Bank of India eased out the operational curbs on three banks, Bank of India (BoI), Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) and Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) and also allowed them to have a exit from the Prompt Corrective Action ( PCA) framework fully.


• These three banks were part of 11 government-owned banks that were put under the Prompt Corrective Action framework in 2017 and 2018. And the government gave a capital infusion of Rs 10,000 crore for Bank of India, Rs 5,500 crore for Oriental Bank of Commerce and Rs 4,500 crore for Bank of Maharashtra, which helped the banks to come out of the framework.


• Based on the norms of minimum regulatory capital, net NPAs(Non-performing assets) and leverage ratio and marked improvements in asset quality , RBI eased out the curbs and is allowed to open branches and extend loans freely.

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• On Recommendation of Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, The government constituted a committee under the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to explore prepaid payments by state electricity distribution companies to power plants.


• The formed committee, consist of The chairman of distribution companies of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, and representatives from Union power ministry and power associations to look into problems of delayed payments from distribution companies to power generators.


• The committee will study working capital cycles of power distribution companies and generation companies and identify gaps contributing to obstacles in the sector.

Source: Cick Here

• 36 years old India’s Women Cricket team captain, Mithali Raj became the first female player to play 200 ODIs during the 3rd and Final ODI against New Zealand.


• Mithali Raj has played in 200 out of 263 ODI matches that India have played till now.


• Mithali Raj has also scored highest runs in ODIs which is 6622 at an average of 51.33 including 7 centuries.


• She also holds the longest international career among all female players and She has the fourth longest career only behind India’s Sachind Tendulkar, Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya and Pakistan’s Miandad if we include Men’s teams also.

Source: Cick Here

• Golfer Vani Kapoor has become the first Indian to grab Australian Ladies PGA Tour (LPGA) after securing 12th Rank tied with three others in the first ever qualifying tournament at the Ballarat Golf Club in Australia.


• Total 81 player participated in the Qualifying tournament out of which top-20 earned the card for LPGA.
  
• Vani Kapoor finished two-over 218 after shooting rounds of 71, 78 and 69.


• Diksha Dagar, Astha Madan and Ridhima Dilawari also participated in the qualifying tournament but they could not grab the Card of LPGA.


• Diksha Dagar and Astha Madan will participate in the two day AUD 30000 event in the upcoming Australian LPGA Pro-Am.

Source: Cick Here

• INS Dronacharya team won the Regetta trophy in the  Area Pulling Regatta Kochi 2019 of the (SNC Southern Naval Command) held in Kochi. is one of the most prestigious and traditional naval sporting activities conducted by the Southern Naval Command.


• The Boat Pulling Regatta Six teams, formed from all major units of South Naval Command participated in the regatta,in which boats had to cover a distance of 1.6 km of the navy. and end at the North Jetty in the Ernakulam Channel, from the Venduruthy-Vikrant Bridge.

Source: Cick Here

• Indian paddler G Sathiyan achieved a new career rank of 28 in the world rankings.


• He surpassed Sharath after he gained three spots in his recent game.


• Manika Batra became the first female from India to be enlisted in top 50 list, she made herself in rank 47.

Source: Cick Here

• Rajiv Nath was conferred with prestigious Award of Appreciation by Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Honourable Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare for his contribution to the Global Public Healthcare sector in New Delhi.


• Rajiv Nath was honoured for his valuable, remarkable and outstanding achievements in the field of healthcare & community services for affordable MedTech access & patients safety initiatives.


• Rajiv Nath has also been appointed as the Member on Board of National Medical Devices Promotion Council by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) to boost the Indian Medical Devices Sector and lead India to an export driven market in the Medical Devices sector.

Source: Cick Here

• Ministry of External Affairs appointed 1993 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officer Sanjiv Ranjan who is current Ambassador to Argentina as the new Ambassador to the Republic of Colombia.


• Sanjiv Ranjan was born in 1966 and he holds bachelors in Economics from University of Delhi and an M.A. in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).


• He served as Deputy High Commissioner of India to Mauritius from 2006 to 2009. Apart from this he held diplomatic positions in Indian Embassies in Madrid and Lima.

Source: Cick Here

• Yes Bank Senior group President and head of retail and business banking, Pralay Mondal resigned from his post. He will serve his notice till 31st March 2019.


• Pralay Mondal joined Yes Bank in 2012 and he was elevated along with Rajat Monga who handled financial management as Executive Directors of the Yes Bank in September 2018.


• On 31st January 2019, Yes Bank appointed Ajai Kumar who had led Syndicate Bank in past as non-executive Director till Ravneet Singh Gill from Deutsche Bank takes over from 1st March 2019.

Source: Cick Here

• Former Planning Commission member of and ex-director Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) Hiten Bhaya passed away in New Delhi.


• He also served as the chairman of Hindustan Steel.

A. 314.5 Million tonnes B. 256.8 Million tonnes C. 156.7 Million tonnes D. 437.4 Million tonnes Answer: A

A. 20.25 % B. 14.16 % C. 12.15 % D. 10.30 % Answer: B

A. Mumbai B. New Delhi C. Kolkata D. Chennai Answer: B

A. Rs 40,000 crore B. Rs 20,000 crore C. Rs 10,000 crore D. Rs 50,000 crore Answer: A

A. Rs 5 lakh B. Rs 2 lakh C. Rs 1 lakh D. Rs 3 lakh Answer: A

A. Rs 50,000 B. Rs 60,000 C. Rs 70,000 D. Rs 80,000 Answer: A

A. 3.4 % B. 4.3 % C. 5.1 % D. 2.9 % Answer: A

A. 53.45 trillion rupees B. 27.84 trillion rupees C. 65.23 trillion rupees D. 32.88 trillion rupees Answer: B

A. 5.0 % B. 2.5 % C. 3.7 % D. 4.2 % Answer: B

A. Rs 20,000 B. Rs 40,000 C. Rs 30,000 D. Rs 15,000 Answer: B

A. 11 % B. 12 % C. 13 % D. 14 % Answer: D

A. Rs 15 lakhs B. Rs 20 lakhs C. Rs 25 lakhs D. Rs 30 lakhs Answer: B

A. Rs 3 lakh crore B. Rs 2 lakh crore C. Rs 5 lakh crore D. Rs 6 lakh crore Answer: A

A. N K Singh B. P K Sinha C. P P Malhotra D. Raman Singh Answer: B

A. Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) B. Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) C. Indian Bank (IB) E. Canara Bank Answer: A

A. Maharashtra B. Mizoram C. Sikkim D. Haryana Answer: B

A. 6.9 % B. 7.0 % C. 7.2 % D. 7.4 % Answer: C

A. 15 % B. 12 % C. 20 % D. 17 % Answer: A

A. Samar Pant B. Rajiv Nath C. Satyabatra Das D. Amar Munshi Answer: B

A. Prakash Raj B. Sanjiv Ranjan C. Atul Saini D. Sriram Parthasarathy Answer: B

A. Ashraful Aslam B. Pralay Mondal C. Tapas Roy D. Rujutha Dev Answer: B

A. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) B. NITI Aayog C. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (ISRO) D. Ministry of Science and Technology Answer: B

A. Cricket B. Football C. Hockey D. Basketball Answer: B

A. INS Vikrant B. INS Shivani C. INS Dronacharya D. INS Kapil Answer: C

A. G Sathiyan B. Sharath C. Arshath Kamal D. Virender Singh Answer: A

A. Pinky Reddy B. Manika Batra C. Sameera Khan D. Lalitha V Answer: B

A. Harmanpreet Kaur B. Mithali Raj C. Smriti Mandhana D. Jhulan Goswami Answer: B

A. Vani Kapoor B. Diksha Dagar C. Astha Madan D. Ridhima Dilawari Answer: A

A. Conservation of Wetland B. Wetlands and Climate Change C. Wetlands and the Environment D. Wetland Preservation Answer: B